Turbines issue at centre of Dundee hustings
The issue of wind turbines and a biomass energy plant proposed for Dundee's port area generated plenty of heat at a hustings for both the city's Westminster constituencies.
Hustings participants at the Apex Hotel, Dundee.
- By Brian Allison and Jennifer Cosgrove
- Published in the Courier : 03.05.10
- Published online : 03.05.10 @ 07.15pm
Around 200 people attended the event, organised by The Courier, in the Apex Hotel and quizzed the 13 candidates for the Dundee East and West seats.
Although the turbines and the biomass plant which have been proposed by Forth Energy would be situated in the East constituency they are seen to have implications for the whole city and candidates for both seats were asked to say whether they were for or against the plans.
The turbines would be up to 127 metres high and the biomass plant, which would burn a variety of materials including wood chips, would have a stack around 100 metres tall.
Opponents of the plans, especially those living in the vicinity of the sites, have already been vocal so it was no surprise that many of them turned up at the hustings to hear what the candidates had to say.
As the audience and candidates arrived they were greeted by a large poster showing how the turbines would look. It had been displayed by members of campaign group RATTs (Residents Against Tay Turbines).
The candidates for Dundee East are Michael Arthur (UK Independence Party), Shiona Baird (Scottish Green Party), Chris Bustin (Conservative), Angela Gorrie (Scottish Socialist Party), Stewart Hosie (SNP), Katrina Murray (Labour), and Clive Sneddon (Liberal Democrats).
Contesting Dundee West are John Barnett (Liberal Democrats), Jim Barrie (SNP), Andy McBride (Independent), Jim McFarlane (Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Jim McGovern (Labour), and Colin Stewart (Conservative).
Stewart Hosie said he was open-minded about the biomass plant, but could not support the wind turbines. He would welcome manufacturing of turbines in Dundee, which could bring 400 jobs, but saw no link between that and having two turbines operating at the port.
Challenged by a member of the audience who claimed he had told her he was in favour of the biomass plant, Mr Hosie denied having made such a comment.
Katrina Murray believed the turbines were a smokescreen for the biomass plant, which would be unfriendly to the environment and pose public health risks.
Shiona Baird said there was no way she would consider supporting a biomass plant that was bringing in imported fuel. However she said her party was in favour of wind energy and she would "sit on the fence" regarding the turbines.
Clive Sneddon said the plans were the wrong scheme in the wrong place. He did not see a need for a biomass plant and, as for the turbines, it would be better to develop wave and tidal power.
